Writers Guild announces nominations…

January 8th, 2009 at 08:42am Will Pfeifer

The Writers Guild has announced its nominees for the 2008 crop of films:

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: BURN AFTER READING, MILK, VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA (with Penelope Cruz, above), THE VISITOR and THE WRESTLER.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, THE DARK KNIGHT, DOUBT, FROST/NIXON, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

BEST DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY: BOOGIE MAN: THE LEE ATWATER STORY, CHICAGO 10, FUEL, GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON, WALTZ WITH BASHIR

Frankly, I’m pretty surprised that SYNECDOCHE, NY by Charlie Kaufman didn’t get the nod, and surprised that BENJAMIN BUTTON did. (I liked the movie, but the screenplay was the weakest part.) Nice to see the Coens get a nomination for BURN AFTER READING (check out my review of the movie here) and Woody Allen get one for Vicky Christina Barcelona (check out my review of Woody’s CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS here).

Haven’t seen most of the docs, but I did catch BOOGIE MAN, and it’s a very compelling tale well told. Of course, given the ups and downs of Atwater’s life, they had a heck of a story to work with.

Entry Filed under: Screenplays